Hou canoes

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

Hodge

Forager
Aug 3, 2018
245
165
63
West Midlands
I am considering buying a trekk 14 or 15 foot Apache canoe. Have any of you got any experience with Hou? I am wishing to solo paddle with occasional tandem paddling.
 

Grebby

Life Member
Jul 16, 2008
494
45
Sutton Coldfield
You might be better off asking on Song Of The Paddle forums.

I have a very nice 14 ft Apache. Stu and Mark (MultiMark on SOTP) are both very nice to talk to.

I've not heard anything bad about Hou though.

One thing to bear in mind is that the length of the model is very approximate.
My 14 ft is 14 ft long, the Hou 14ft is 14 ft 10.
 

pieinthesky

Forager
Jun 29, 2014
206
99
Northants
Hi Hodge

I was in the same boat as you last year and did quite a bit of research. Also have been out and about a fair bit in the canoe we bought.

The biggest factor we have found is weight, particularly if you are car topping and going solo. Our 16 ft Novacraft Pal weighs in at under 30 kg (about 28 I think) which is considerably lighter than some and it is not easy to handle on your own or with a child. With another strong adult it is OK. Portages with camping gear can be tough even with Arnie as a partner.

The Apache Canoes are composite and the more expensive lay ups are considerably lighter but more fragile - If I had the money I would have gone for one of these. The Hou Canoes are some sort of plastic and will be considerably heavier for an equivalent canoe.

Go to Song of the Paddle forum if you haven't already, there is loads of info on there.

There is a lot of choice out there.
 

Hodge

Forager
Aug 3, 2018
245
165
63
West Midlands
Ok. Thankyou. I was figuring that the 14 foot would be lighter but not sure whether it would allow for two paddlers. I would use a trolley to take the canoe the short distance to canal as I only have the Spyder trike not a car!
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,978
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I consider my 15' Apache suitable for two for a day's paddling but really only solo for multiday treks. It's a lovely boat but you compromise a little bit of stability in exchange for how responsive it is. You definitely need to be on your knees for anything grade 2 and above especially if loaded (something I have difficulty doing these days).

It's still quite heavy for one; I can just get it on the Defender on my own.
 

Hodge

Forager
Aug 3, 2018
245
165
63
West Midlands
Thanks Broch. My days of white water are long over I would be exploring the canal network and possibly still waters. Think 14 foot would be too short for tandem paddling.
 

Sundowner

Full Member
Jan 21, 2013
891
341
70
Northumberland
If you can kneel, get the Apache.
If you can't, get the you.
Other options are Kevlar or Royalex canoes. I've got a Bell Chestnut Prospector that weighs only 21 kg
 

Chainsaw

Native
Jul 23, 2007
1,377
144
56
Central Scotland
14 foot is a little too small for being 2 up, depending on the size of the two. Once I get my lunch etc in there it'd definitely be too small!! My lad and I are 6 footers and our 15 foot works well. The old canoe adage is you can have lightweight, carrying capacity and toughness, pick any 2!! If you pay plenty money you can have all three!

A 14 footer plastic canoe hits lightweight and toughness, sacrificing carrying capacity
A 15 foot plastic hits carrying capacity and toughness
A 16 footer plastic hits carrying capacity ++ and toughness

For composites you get
A 14 footer hits lightweight sacrificing carrying capacity
A 15 foot hits lightweight and carrying capacity
A 16 footer hits carrying capacity ++ and is still reasonably lightweight

This is obviously a gross simplification, composites are pretty tough especially if you are only using them on flat water. Also, I think going solo in a 16 foot boat is too much like hard work to maneuver and to handle off the water, it can be done but it's just more work.

I have paddled a lot of boats and have settled on;
A15 foot composite boat for solo flat water work, can do two up day trips but would be tight for overnighters. Lightweight, easy to handle on and off the water
A 15 foot plastic boat for comfortable day trips, can do overnighters and is great for rattling down rivers. Pretty tough, not as good to handle off the water due to weight but a lot of displacement so a decent load carrier.

From what you are saying a 15 foot apache sounds about the best as long as you are predominantly solo and flat water. You will find them a little harder to get used to than a heavy plastic hou or venture etc but the payback is better handling on water. It won't be to hard to get used to it

My two cents, hope this helps
 

Hodge

Forager
Aug 3, 2018
245
165
63
West Midlands
Yes, I have ordered an Apache 15 foot classic tandem canoe in British racing green! Thank you everyone for your advice.
 

Chainsaw

Native
Jul 23, 2007
1,377
144
56
Central Scotland
+1 to that, got Apache Stu to source and put ash on my Venture, sounds blokes!

28140740768_b1050dac06_b.jpg


Happy paddling!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trencakey

Hodge

Forager
Aug 3, 2018
245
165
63
West Midlands
It takes 3 weeks to make as the fibre glass has to cure for at least a week. Not sure about when it can be delivered. All of the equipment I ordered such as trolley,air bags, and paddle were delivered from a number of outlets in 2 days!
 

Paul_B

Bushcrafter through and through
Jul 14, 2008
6,151
1,544
Cumbria
The important question is how long before you can take it out? It could be a long wait with everything in ready to go. That could get frustrating.
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,978
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
There's nothing in the rules that says you can't go to do your essential shopping via the canal or that canoeing isn't an acceptable sport :) (I suppose it depends how far the canal is away from you though).
 

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE